Lago San Martín is a destination in the RN 40 Patagonia Sur tourism corridor in the province of Santa Cruz. Nearby, Lago San Martín can be reached via Provincial Route 31. Road conditions and access arrangements may change; check them before setting out. When planning your trip, also take into account the specific excursion plan and conditions at each location.
Lakeshore, lenga forest and wildlife watching
Nearby, the tourist estancia El Condor is located on the shores of Lago San Martín, surrounded by rivers and unspoiled lenga forests. The estancia’s fields and hills are home to a diverse range of native birds; you can also watch Andean condors fly overhead there. The excursions visit different scenic spots and can be distinguished primarily by their duration and type.
One of the estancia’s excursions is about 14 km long and follows the lakeshore to the anchor-shaped Península del Ancla. From the peninsula, you can look out over Lago San Martín, several small islands and the Península Maipú massif. Specific durations are given for the other two tours: Las Condoreras takes three hours on horseback or on foot. After crossing the Río Freire, the route passes through dense lenga forest to a viewpoint at an altitude of 700 meters, with views of the lake.
The excursion to Laguna Corazón takes six hours on horseback or eight hours as a trekking tour. The trail crosses the slope of Cerro Grande, passes through lenga forests and follows the Río Condor valley. In terms of duration, Las Condoreras is the shorter of the two tours described; the Laguna Corazón route takes longer. Planned activities may vary depending on the weather and conditions. Check in advance whether the excursions are currently operating and available.
Take access into account when planning your trip
A different access requirement applies to Estancia La Josefina, on the northern international arm of Lago San Martín: it can only be reached on foot, on horseback or by boat. Access depends on local arrangements and conditions. If you include the estancia in your travel plans, arrange your transport there in advance. The different access options are an important practical distinction between the locations mentioned.
The wider region: Departamento Lago Argentino
The broader destination of Departamento Lago Argentino offers a distinct regional focus. Parque Nacional Los Glaciares covers 726,927 hectares and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. At the Moreno Glacier, a circuit of boardwalks and viewpoints stretching more than 4.5 km leads to the glacier front. Trekking on the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier is also offered, with crampons and specialized guides. These glacier activities are part of the wider picture of Departamento Lago Argentino; the excursions at Estancia El Condor, by contrast, are in the immediate vicinity of Lago San Martín.
Hikes starting from El Chaltén are another regional option in Departamento Lago Argentino. The route to Laguna de los Tres is 25 km long and takes eight to nine hours. The trail to Laguna Torre is 18 km round trip. From the viewpoint at Laguna Torre, you can see Cerro Solo, Cordón Adela and the Cerro Torre massif. The different distances and durations help distinguish the local excursions around Lago San Martín from other hiking destinations in the department.
Discover more destinations: Lago Viedma, El Calafate, El Chalten, Colonia Francisco Perito Moreno, Charles Fuhr, Los Antiguos.
Go to the broader travel overview: Departamento Lago Argentino.
